Saw the Funniest Black Friday Comment by Linda S. Glaz

If
that didn’t say it all, I don’t know what did. And it made me think of how
writers rush to the finish line like a shopper elbowing her way toward a $5
toaster as if one day one way or the other that rush will make a contract
happen. And I know (because I’ve done it). Sigh.

A
response from an agent/editor. “Nice job, but could use some work on the
dialogue and then I’ll have another look.”

Author
stays up until two in the morning, making insignificant changes here and there
without seeing the overall big picture of how that dialogue is not working.
Tweaks and resends first thing the next morning.

Now, I
can’t speak for everyone, but for me, just receiving it again in the morning is
a hint that this writer didn’t really do his or her homework. Didn’t try to see
how the dialogue was lagging and dragging, and instead simply sprinted for the
finish line. A writer who responds with: “I’ll look into, see what changes I
can make, run it past my critters, and then resend. Will a couple weeks or even
a month be too late?”

Now I
know that the writer is taking the changes more seriously. My heart aches for
the writer rushing for the toaster, but at some point, they must understand
that opportunities don’t just happen.
And we have to do our best when we get
one.

This reminder needs to be said again and again. I am so guilty. In fact, the first time an agent agreed to consider my proposal, he told me what I'd done wrong to give me a chance to make it better. I fixed what I thought I needed to fix in a couple of hours. Not good. Lesson learned once again.

MEET THE HARTLINE AGENTS

Joyce Hart, Owner and principal agent

Joyce Hart, owner and principal agent of Hartline Literary Agency has been a literary agent for more than a decade. She was formerly the vice president of marketing of an inspirational publishing company and as the president of Hartline Marketing has nearly thirty-two years of successful experience marketing and promoting books. Joyce has been a pioneer in selling high-quality fiction to the inspirational market and has built an excellent rapport with leading inspirational publishers. A member of ACFW, and the National Association of Professional Women, Joyce is a graduate of Open Bible College, Des Moines, IA now merged with Eugene Bible College in Eugene, Oregon. Joyce is based at Hartline Literary's Pittsburgh headquarters.

Diana Flegal, Agent

Diana currently lives in Asheville NC. A Bible College major in Missions and Anthropology, Diana has been a medical missionary to Haiti, a women's speaker and bible study leader. One of her life's highlights has been teaching apologetics to high school students as preparatory for college. Avid reader and intuitive editor, Diana's represents nonfiction and well written fiction. She has a passion for getting great writers published.

Jim Hart, Agent

Jim Hart is looking for authors who can write unique and engaging fictional suspense, romance, women’s fiction, historical fiction and some sci-fi. Jim is also interested in non-fiction regarding church growth, Christian living, and self-help. Keep in mind that non-fiction topics require a certain level of credentials, experience and expertise. The author will need an appropriate platform to present a non-fiction proposal.

Currently Jim is not looking at children’s, young adult or Biblical fiction proposals.

He holds a degree in Production Journalism and worked for twenty years in direct mail advertising before taking a job with an urban social services agency, where he worked for twelve years. All during his professional career, Jim has served with the local church doing youth ministry and music/worship ministry. He is a credentialed minister with the Assemblies of God, and serves part-time as Worship Pastor in his local church in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Linda Glaz, Agent

Linda is an experienced editor, reviewer and writer, and for a couple of years was a final reader for Wild Rose Press, then for White Rose Publishing and she worked as an editorial assistant for Hartline Agent Terry Burns. She has judged for numerous contests including the Genesis for the American Christian Fiction Writers, as well as the Emily Award for the West Houston Chapter of the Romance Writers of America. She has been on the faculty for Faithwriters.com annual conference, Maranatha, and is slated for numerous others in 2013. Linda understands writers because she's a writer herself with 4 books releasing in 2013.linda@hartlineliterary.comhttp://lindaglaz.blogspot.com/

Andy Scheer, Agent

Andy has a wealth of experience as a publishing professional with over 18 years as the managing editor of Moody Magazine, 8 years as the managing editor for the Christian Writer’s Guild, and as a free-lance writer and editor. He is a frequent instructor at writing conferences around the country. A journalism graduate from Colorado State University, he also attended Denver Seminary. Andy is a consummate professional and will be a great addition to the Hartline team.